Circuit-closing device



Oct. 11, 1927.

6. N. WAGNER CIRCUIT CLOSING DEVICE File 4 16 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 11, 1927.

UNITED STATES v a I 1,545,362 PATENT" OFFICE, i

GEORGE N. WAGNER, or Los AneE Es, CALIFORNIA.

CIRCUIT-CLOSING DEVICE.

Application filed February 16, 1926. Serial No. 88,622.

This invention relates to a circuit closing devicedesigned primarily for closing a normally open circuit for a signal ofthe audible type to sound the same, more particularly for employment for the closing of the horn circuit of a motor vehicle, but it is to be understood that a circuit closing device in accordance with this invention can be em-- ployed for any purpose for which it is found. applicable, and the invention has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of the class referred to for connection to the wheel of a steering mechanism of a motor vehicle toenable the hand of the operatorto actuate the device to close the horn circuit to provide for the sounding of the horn, Without necessitating the operator from removing-his hand fromofl' the steering wheel.

Further objects of; the invention are to provide, in amanner as hereinafter set forth a circuit'closing device for the purpose re-" ferred to which is simple in its construe tion and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, readily installed with respect to the steering. wheel of the steering mechanism of a motor vehicle, thoroughly efiicient in its use, conveniently operatedby the hand without removing it from the steering wheel and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture. Withthe foregoing and other objects in view the invention consistsof the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in the acompanying drawings wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is tobe understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings 7 wherein like reference characters denote coresnonding parts throughout the several views Figure 1 is an inverted plan view of a circuit closing device, in accordance with this invention, showing the adaptation thereof with respect to thesteering wheel of a steering mechanism.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of the device showing the adaptation thereof with respect to a steering wheel. V

Figure 3 is an inverted plan view of the spring controlled shiftable section of the device; i

Filgure 4 is a section on line 4-4 Fig-' ure Figure 5 is a section on line 55 Figure 1 a p Referring to the drawings in detail 1 de notes the annular rim and 2 the spokes of a steering wheel adapted to be connected to the upper end of the post of the steering mechanism. The wheel as is well known, is

section 3 is of greater width than the section v 4 and is adapted to overlap the same. The section 3 is of semi-oval contour in cross section and the section 4 is square in cross section. The section 3 is hollow and the section 4 solid. The section 3' is constructed of sheet metal of the desired gaugeand the section 4 constructed of any suitable conducting material preferably bronze. The inner diameter of the section3 is less than the inner diameter of the section 4 and the outerdiameter of the section 3 is greater than'the outer diameter of the'sectionfl. The height of the section 3 is greater than the height of the section 4. The section 4 is mounted upon the top of the spokes 2 andissecured to each of said spokes 2 by a couplingstrip 5 which engages the lower face or bottom of a spoke, extends transversely of the latter and issecuredfat each end to the section 4 by a hold-fast device 6. Thesection 4 is secured to the spokes tion 4. The circuit connection 7 extends carriers referred to generally by the referenee character and each of which consists of a semi-oval shaped strip 16, having each end thereof formed with an inwardly extending right angular flange 17 The flanges 17 are oppositely disposed with respect-to each other and provide means for securing within each strip a' semi-oval shaped :block 18 formed of insulation ma terial and provided centrally with an oval shaped opening 18 which extends from one end .to the other end thereof. The block 18 is further provided in its lower portion with a centrally disposed vertically extending-opening 1'9 havinga threaded wall for engagement with zthe peripherally threaded. shank 20 of a headed contact member .21. The circuit connection 7 extends through the opening-18 and piercing theinsulation covering 22" or said' connection to engage with'tihe conductor 23 in the pointed end 24 of-a contact member 21. The contact member 21 not only, binds the circuit connection 7 against the "top portion of the Wall of the opening 18' but furthermore'is in permanent electrical connection with the conductor 23., The carriers 15 are of less height than the height 'of the section 3. The heads of the contact members 21 are disposed belowthe flanges -17 and are arranged directly over the section 4. When thesecti-on 3 is depressed the heads of the contact members 21 engage the section 4 and close the circuit. Any one of the contact members, when in engagement with the upper face of the section 4(w'rll close the circnit. -The contact members'21 are arranged adjacent the spokes 2.

I Thesection 3 is arranged in spaced s-uper-' relation with respect to the section 4, though the medium of a series of controlling or elevating springs for the said section 3 andwhenthe latter is depressed to close the circuit, the lowering action of the section 3 is-had' against the action of the controlling springs therefor; The downward movement of thesection 3 relative to the-section 4 is arrested by the engagement of a contact member with the section 4. 'Each of the controlling springs is indicated at 2'5 and each of said springs are arranged within and project from a socket 26 formed in the section '4' and opening at the upper face thereof. The'bottom of the socket 26 is provided with a centrally disposed opening 27 of less diameter than the diameter of the spring seats.

socket thereby providing an annular shoulder 28 upon which the lower end of the The upper end of each spring 25 extends into a socket 29 of a semi-oval shaped coupling block 30 which is secured to the wall of the channel 12 and is of slightly greater height than the carrier 15. The coupling block 30 at one side thereof is cut away to provide a passage 31 for the circuit connection 7. The block 30 is furthermore provided with a socket 32,

which is of less diameter than the socket 29 and which opens into the latter. The wall of the socket 32 is threaded for engagement with'the peripheral threads of the shank 33 of -a vertically disposed headed bolt 34 which extends up through the-opening 27, through the spring 25, as well, as the socket 29 and threadedly engages with the wall of the socket :32. Interposed between the head of the bolt 34 and the lower face of the section 4is a washer 35. The bolt 34 provides 'Ineansfor slidably connecting the section 3 to the section '4 .and'said section 3 is maintained in spaced relation above and with respect to section 4 by the controlling springs 25. "The bolt 30, provides means for coupling the circuit connection to the section 3. Preferablythe couplin-g blocks 30 are arranged in proximity tothe carrier'il5, but spaced a substantial distance therefrom and ,bythe arrangement of the blocks :18 and 30 in the manner as shown, portions of the circuit connection 7 :are disposed centrally with respectto the section Band other portions thereof eccentrically with respect to the section 3 r A I The construction of the circuit closing device as shown and described provide means whereby the operator of the car can depress the secti0n-3 from any side thereof, without the operator removingv his hand. from the rim lot the wheel, and when a portion of the section 3 is depressed, one'of the contact members 21 will engage the section 4, thereby closing the horn circuit and providing for the sounding of the horn. 'Itdoesnot necessitate the operator to remove his hand from the steering wheel for the purpose of closing the circuit, as the wheel can be gripped by the same hand which provides for the depressing of the section 3 to close the circuit. i

It is thought .the'many advantagesof a circuit closing devicev in accordance with this invention, can be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, yet it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction can be had which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim is 2*- I A circuit closing device for the purpose set forth adapted to be carried by the steer ing wheel of a motor vehicle, comprising a stationary lower annulus of conducting material in a normally open circuit, means for fixedly securing said annulus upon the spokes of the steering wheel, a bodily depressible, upper hollow annulus of concave cross section having its lower part opposing and spaced from the sides of the lower annulus, an insulated electrical conductor extending through the lower annulus and positioned within the upper annulus circumferentially thereof and further having one upper annulus, alternately disposed with respect to said blocks and each having a centrally arranged, horizontally disposed opening for the passage of said conductor, contact members secured to and depending from said carrier, in electrical contact with said conductor and normally spaced from said lower annulus and contacting with the latter to close the circuit when the upper annulus is depressed, said coupling members secured to the blocks and slidably extending through the lower annulus, and coil springs surrounding said members and interposed between said annuli for maintaing the contacts normally spaced from the lower annulus.

In testimony whereof, I aflix'my signature hereto.

GEORGE N. WAGNER. 

